Zimbabwe allowed to export diamonds

Zimbabwe was given permission to export rough diamonds from its Marange field though critics say the decision was an assault to the Kimberly Process. The World Diamond Council, at a meeting in Kinshasa, said Zimbabwe could start exporting diamonds from two operations at the Marange region. "This is a real milestone and demonstrates categorically that the Kimberley Process provides the framework through which the integrity of the rough diamond chain of distribution can be protected, while at the same time enabling producing countries gain benefit from their natural resources," Eli Izhakoff, president of the World Diamond Council, said in a statement. In August, Human Rights Watch reported that police and private security guards working at the Marange diamond field shot, beat and unleashed attack dogs on local unlicensed miners. The advocacy group stated that abuses were rampant at the Marange field despite contrary statements by members of the Kimberly Process, a measure enacted to prevent so-called conflict diamonds. The United States said it was still frustrated with conditions at the Marange field but didn't want to cause further export delays. Advocacy group Global Witness says Zimbabwe's military was still "deeply involved" in diamond mining at Marange and smuggling was widespread. "The Kimberley Process has effectively given up on Zimbabwe," said Green Advocates-Liberia President Alfred Brownell.